Universal fixing metal fitting for operating table

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a universal fixing metal fitting  1  for an operating table capable of being easily attached and detached, capable of enabling simultaneous firm fixing between the fixing metal fitting, an appliance to be fixed, and an accessory attachment table by performing fastening one time regardless of the existence/nonexistence of a sheet or the like, capable of ensuring the same firm fixing even when the shape of the accessory attachment table is changed and capable of fixing no matter what the shape of the appliance to be fixed is. To achieve the above-described object, there is provided a universal fixing metal fitting  1  for an operating table characterized by having a base member  2  in which a first attachment leg  2   b  having an attachment portion  2   d  and including a slant portion  2   h  formed thereon and a second attachment leg  2   c  having an attachment portion  2   e  and including a slant portion  2   i  formed thereon are formed continuously with a flat portion  2   a  having a screw-engaging hole  2   k  formed at its center, an upper pinching member  3  in which a first pinching portion  3   b  is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion  3   a  having a V-cut  3   k  at its center and L-cuts  3   d  formed continuously with the V-cut  3   k,  and in which a second pinching portion  3   c  is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion  3   a,  a lower pinching member  4  in which a third pinching portion  4   b  is formed continuously with one end of a connecting portion  4   a  having a V-cut  4   k  at its center and L-cuts  4   d  formed continuously with the V-cut  4   k,  and in which a fourth pinching portion  4   c  is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion  4   a,  and a fastening portion  5  in which a handle  5   c  having spherical stoppers  5   d  provided on its opposite ends is loosely fitted in a through hole  5   f  in a cylindrical head portion 5 a  provided on one end of a screw-engaging shaft  5   b,  the universal fixing metal fitting  1  also characterized in that when the upper pinching member  3  and the lower pinching member  4  are coupled to the base member  2,  coil springs are attached by being interposed between the first pinching portion  3   b  and the attachment portion  2   d,  between the second pinching portion  3   c  and the attachment portion  2   e,  between the third pinching portion  4   b  and the attachment portion  2   d  and between the fourth pinching portion  4   c  and the attachment portion  2   e,  and in that the screw-engaging shaft  5   b  is mounted in the screw-engaging hole  2   k  when the fastening portion  5  is coupled to the base member  2.  There is also provided a universal fixing metal fitting  1  for an operating table having the above-described features and also characterized in that a pressing member  5   e  is attached to a tip of the screw-engaging shaft  5   b.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fixing metal fitting for an operatingtable used when a member, an instrument or the like is mounted in anyposition on an accessory attachment rail along the operating table.

BACKGROUND ART

A subject and an operating table are covered with a clean sheet or thelike during surgical operation. It was, therefore, difficult to mount aconventional fixing metal fitting over a sheet or the like in such acase. A type of fixing metal fitting capable of fixing over a sheet orthe like was thereafter developed. However, fixing of the fixing metalfitting on an accessory attachment rail and fixing between the fixingmetal fitting and an appliance to be fixed were performed separatelyfrom each other. A considerably long time was required for mounting, andthe fixing metal fitting, the accessory attachment table and theappliance to be fixed were not firmly fixed and stabilized.

A fixing metal fitting was also developed in which, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,535,973, an accessory attachment rail was pinched betweenupper and lower arms and a flat plate; a knob was fastened to reduce thedistance between left and right arms and the flat plate; and the fixingmetal fitting and an appliance to be fixed are were simultaneously fixedon an accessory attachment rail by the pressure of the fastening.However, there was still the same difficulty in mounting, the force forfixing to the accessory attachment rail varied depending on thethickness of a sheet or the like, and it was difficult to obtain asufficient and stable fixing force.

Thus, conventional fixing metal fittings lacked safety and were,therefore, not suitable as a fixing metal fitting for fixing anappliance on an accessory attachment rail of an operating table and wereincapable of enabling medical practitioners to do medical work withoutanxiety.

Also, it was difficult to firmly fix the conventional fixing metalfittings in the case of use with accessory attachment rails differing inshape and an increased number of sheets or the like. Also for thisreason, the conventional fixing metal fittings are unsuitable as amedical appliance which needs to be safe.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide auniversal fixing metal fitting for an operating table capable of beingeasily attached and detached, capable of enabling simultaneous firmfixing between the fixing metal fitting, an appliance to be fixed, andan accessory attachment table by performing fastening one timeregardless of the existence/nonexistence of a sheet or the like, capableof ensuring the same firm fixing even when the shape of the accessoryattachment table is changed and capable of fixing no matter what theshape of the appliance to be fixed is.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above-described object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a universal fixing metal fitting 1 for anoperating table characterized by having a base member 2 in which a firstattachment leg 2 b having an attachment portion 2 d and including aslant portion 2 h formed thereon and a second attachment leg 2 c havingan attachment portion 2 e and including a slant portion 2 i formedthereon are formed continuously with a flat portion 2 a having ascrew-engaging hole 2 k formed at its center, an upper pinching member 3in which a first pinching portion 3 b is formed continuously with oneend of a connecting portion 3 a having a V-cut 3 k at its center andL-cuts 3 d formed continuously with the V-cut 3 k, and in which a secondpinching portion 3 c is formed continuously with the other end of theconnecting portion 3 a, a lower pinching member 4 in which a thirdpinching portion 4 b is formed continuously with one end of a connectingportion 4 a having a V-cut 4 k at its center and L-cuts 4 d formedcontinuously with the V-cut 4 k, and in which a fourth pinching portion4 c is formed continuously with the other end of the connecting portion4 a, and a fastening portion 5 in which a handle 5 c having sphericalstoppers 5 d provided on its opposite ends is loosely fitted in athrough hole 5 f in a cylindrical head portion 5 a provided on one endof a screw-engaging shaft 5 b having a pressing member 5 e attached tothe other end, the universal fixing metal fitting 1 also characterizedin that when the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4are coupled to the base member 2, coil springs are attached by beinginterposed between the first pinching portion 3 b and the attachmentportion 2 d, between the second pinching portion 3 c and the attachmentportion 2 e, between the third pinching portion 4 b and the attachmentportion 2 d and between the fourth pinching portion 4 c and theattachment portion 2 e, and in that the screw-engaging shaft 5 b ismounted in the screw-engaging hole 2 k when the fastening portion 5 iscoupled to the base member 2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a base member of the universal fixing metalfitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the base member of the universal fixing metalfitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the base member of the universal fixingmetal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of upper and lower pinching members of theuniversal fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the upper pinching member and the lowerpinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operatingtable according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the upper pinching member and the lowerpinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operatingtable according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the upper pinching member and the lowerpinching member of the universal fixing metal fitting for an operatingtable according to the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of use of the universal fixingmetal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A fixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are a perspective view, a front view, a plan view,a left side view, and a right side view, respectively, of a universalfixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the universal fixing metal fitting1 for an operating table according to the present invention includes abase member 2, an upper pinching member 3, a lower pinching member 4,and a fastening portion 5. The base member 2 includes a flat portion 2a, a first attachment leg 2 b formed perpendicularly to and continuouslywith the flat portion 2 a, and a second attachment leg 2 c formedperpendicularly to and continuously with the flat portion 2 a. The upperpinching member 3 includes a connecting portion 3 a, a first pinchingportion 3 b formed on one end of the connecting portion 3 a, and asecond pinching portion 3 c formed on the other end of the connectingportion 3 a.

The lower pinching member 4 includes a connecting portion 4 a, a thirdpinching portion 4 b formed on one end of the connecting portion 4 a,and a fourth pinching portion 4 c formed on the other end of theconnecting portion 4 a. The fastening portion 5 has as its maincomponents a screw-engaging shaft 5 b having a pressing member 5 eattached to its tip and a head portion 5 a provided on one side thereof,and includes a handle 5 c passed through a through hole bored in thehead portion 5 a and spherical stoppers 5 d provided on opposite endsthereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, a screw-engaging hole 2 k is bored in flat portion 2a of the base member 2 generally in the form of a rectangular block at acenter of the same. The screw-engaging shaft 5 b is screw-engaged withthis screw-engaging hole 2 k.

A rectangular through hole 2 f is bored in a central portion of thefirst attachment leg 2 b formed perpendicularly to and continuously withthe flat portion 2 a of the base member 2.

A rectangular through hole 2 g is also bored in a central portion of thesecond attachment leg 2 c formed perpendicularly to and continuouslywith the flat portion 2 a.

As shown in FIG. 3, at positions closer to the flat portion 2 a of thebase member 2 in the connecting portion 3 a connecting the firstpinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c of the upperpinching member 3, L-cuts 3 d are respectively formed on the firstpinching portion 3 b side and the second pinching portion 3 c side, anda V-cut 3 k is formed between the L-cuts 3 d on the opposite sides. Thefirst pinching portion 3 b is formed perpendicularly to and continuouslywith one end of the connecting portion 3 a, while the second pinchingportion 3 c is formed perpendicularly to and continuously with the otherend of the connecting portion 3 a. The first pinching portion 3 b andthe second pinching portion 3 c are equal in shape and size to eachother.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower pinching member 4 includes aconnecting portion 4 a in which L-cuts 4 d are formed, a third pinchingportion 4 b formed perpendicularly to and continuously with one end ofthe connecting portion 4 a, and a fourth pinching portion 4 c formedperpendicularly to and continuously with the other end of the connectingportion 4 a. At positions closer to the flat portion 2 a of the basemember 2 in the connecting portion 4 a connecting the third pinchingportion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinchingmember 4, L-cuts 4 d are respectively formed on the third pinchingportion 4 b side and the fourth pinching portion 4 c side, and a V-cut 4k is formed between the L-cuts 4 d on the opposite sides. Referencecharacters 3 f, 3 g, 4 f, and 4 g denote inwardly projecting projectionsof the first pinching portion 3 b, the second pinching portion 3 c, thethird pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c.

The third pinching portion 4 b is formed perpendicularly to andcontinuously with one end of the connecting portion 4 a, while thefourth pinching portion 4 c is formed perpendicularly to andcontinuously with the other end of the connecting portion 4 a. The thirdpinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c are equal inshape and size to each other. Also, the upper pinching member 3 and thelower pinching member 4 are equal in shape and size to each other.Details of the members will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12before describing the states of coupling between the members. FIG. 6 isa front view of the base member 2 constituting the universal fixingmetal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention;FIG. 7 a plan view of the base member 2; and FIG. 8 a left side view ofthe base member 2.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the base member 2 is a member provided as abasis for the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating tableaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the firstattachment leg 2 b and the second attachment leg 2 c are formedperpendicularly to and continuously with the opposite ends of the flatportion 2 a of the base member 2, and the through holes 2 f and 2 g areformed in central portions of these attachment legs.

As shown in FIG. 7, slant portions 2 h and 2 i are provided atintermediate positions in the first attachment leg 2 b and the secondattachment leg 2 c, and an attachment portion 2 d and an attachmentportion 2 e provided on the left hand sides of the slant portions 2 hand 2 i continuously with the slant portions 2 h and 2 i are formed sothat their thickness is about half that of the portions on the righthand sides. The slant portions 2 h and 2 i are provided on the outersurface sides of the attachment portion 2 d and the attachment portion 2e. Accordingly, the inner wall surfaces of the first attachment leg 2 band the second attachment leg 2 c are formed as flat surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, attachment holes 21 and pin insertion holes 2m are bored in upper and lower portions in the attachment portion 2 d ofthe first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of thesecond attachment leg 2 c. The four pin insertion holes 2 m in total aresmall holes, while the four attachment holes 2 l in total are largeholes.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the slant portions 2 h are formed in twoplaces in the first attachment leg 2 b, and the slant portions 2 i areformed in two places in the second attachment leg 2 c. The slantportions 2 h and 2 i slant toward centers of surfaces of the attachmentportion 2 d and the attachment portion 2 e shown in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the upper pinching member 3 and the lowerpinching member 4 are equal in shape and size to each other. Therefore,description will be made below mainly of the upper pinching member 3 anddescription will then be made of the lower pinching member 4.

Referring to FIG. 10, the upper pinching member 3 includes theconnecting portion 3 a, the first pinching portion 3 b formedcontinuously with one end of the connecting portion 3 a, and the secondpinching portion 3 c formed continuously with the other end of theconnecting portion 3 a.

As shown in FIG. 9, a left end of the first pinching portion 3 b isformed generally into a bird's beak shape; an upper curved portion 3 lwhich curves largely toward an extreme end 3 q is formed in an upperleft position; a slant portion 3 m is formed continuously from the uppercurved portion 3 l to the right; and an upper flat portion 3 n is formedcontinuously from the slant portion 3 m to the right.

A U-cut 3 h is provided on the right hand side of the extreme end 3 q ofthe first pinching portion 3 b, and a lower flat portion 3 p is formedcontinuously from the U-cut 3 h to the right. A lower curved portion 3 ois formed continuously from the lower flat portion 3 p to the right. Acoupling hole 3 i is bored on the right hand side of the U-cut 3 h, anda pin insertion hole 3 j is bored in the vicinity of the upper curvedportion 3 l.

The upper pinching member 3 is of such a structure that the connectingportion 3 a, the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinchingportion 3 c are not provided as separate members but formed integrallywith each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular recess 3 e is formed on the left handside of the connecting portion 3 a connecting the first pinching portion3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c on the opposite ends.

The L-cuts 3 d are formed on the right hand side of the connectingportion 3 a in two places at opposed positions such that an attachmentrod 10 having a square or rectangular section can be firmly fixed so asnot to swing. The V-cut 3 k is formed between the L-cut 3 d and theL-cut 3 d in the two places to enable fixation of a cylindrical member.

Each of the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 hasis generally H-shaped.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the left and right side surfaces of theupper pinching member 3 constitute a generally U-shaped configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the lower pinching member 4 includes theconnecting portion 4 a, the third pinching portion 4 b formedcontinuously with the right end of the connecting portion 4 a, and thefourth pinching portion 4 c formed continuously with the left end of theconnecting portion 4 a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the third pinching portion 4 b is generally of abird's beak shape; an upper curved portion 41 which curves largelytoward an extreme end 4 q is formed in an upper left position; a slantportion 4 m is formed continuously from the upper curved portion 4 l tothe right; and an upper flat portion 4 n is formed continuously from theslant portion 4 m to the right.

A U-cut 4 h is provided on the right hand side of the extreme end 4 q ofthe third pinching portion 4 b, and a lower flat portion 4 p is formedcontinuously from the U-cut 4 h to the right. A lower curved portion 4 ois formed continuously from the lower flat portion 4 p to the right. Acoupling hole 4 i is bored on the right hand side of the U-cut 4 h, anda pin insertion hole 4 j is bored in the vicinity of the upper curvedportion 4 l.

The lower pinching member 4 is of such a structure that the connectingportion 4 a, the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinchingportion 4 c are not provided as separate members but formed integrallywith each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rectangular recess 4 e is formed on the left handside of the connecting portion 4 a formed continuously with the thirdpinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c on the oppositeends.

The L-cuts 4 d are formed on the right hand side of the connectingportion 4 a in two places at opposed positions such that an attachmentrod 10 having a square or rectangular section can be firmly fixed so asnot to swing. The V-cut 4 k is formed between the L-cut 4 d and theL-cut 4 d in the two places to enable fixation of a cylindrical member.

Each of the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4 hasis generally H-shaped.

Description will be made below of how the base member 2, the upperpinching member 3, the lower pinching member 4 and the fastening portion5 are coupled to form the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for anoperating table according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the screw-engaging shaft 5 b having thepressing member 5 e attached to its tip is screw-engaged with thescrew-engaging hole 2 k bored in the flat portion 2 a of the base member2 at a center of the same.

The screw-engaging shaft 5 b has the shape of a male screw. A femalescrew which meshes with the male screw on the screw-engaging shaft 5 bis formed in the inner wall surface of the screw-engaging hole 2 k.

The pressing member 5 e may not be attached to the tip of thescrew-engaging shaft 5 b. The material and shape of the pressing member5 e are not limited to particular ones. The pressing member 5 e may beformed by changing the material and shape as required.

An insertion hole 5 f is formed in the head portion 5 a attached to thescrew-engaging shaft 5 b. The handle 5 c having the spherical stoppers 5d attached to its opposite ends is loosely inserted in the insertionhole 5 f so as to be slidable in one direction. Since the stoppers 5 dare attached to the opposite ends of the handle 5 c, the handle 5 c doesnot come off the insertion hole 5 f of the head portion 5 a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinchingmember 4 are turnably attached to the first attachment leg 2 b and thesecond attachment leg 2 c of the base member 2 by four retaining members7.

That is, the upper pinching member 3 is turnably attached to the basemember 2 by using the retaining members 7 in the attachment holes 2 lprovided in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 band the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c (seeFIG. 6) and the coupling hole 3 i of the first pinching portion 3 b (seeFIG. 9).

Similarly, the lower pinching member 4 is turnably attached to the basemember 2 by using the retaining members 7 in the attachment holes 2 lprovided in the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 band the attachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c (seeFIG. 7) and the coupling hole 4 i of the third pinching portion 4 b (seeFIG. 9).

When the first pinching portion 3 b of the upper pinching member 3 andthe attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b are coupledto each other by the retaining member 7, the retaining member 7 isinserted in a coil spring 6 and the coil spring 6 is placed between thefirst pinching portion 3 b and the attachment portion 2 d of the firstattachment leg 2 b.

One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 hformed on the first attachment leg 2 b, while the other end of the coilspring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertionhole 3 j of the first pinching portion 3 b.

The range of turning of the first pinching portion 3 b is limited by apin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in the attachmentportion 2 b of the first attachment leg 2 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the upper pinching member 3 is turned clockwiseon the retaining member 7, the spring stopper 9 inserted in the pininsertion hole 3 j and the slant portion 2 h are brought closer to eachother and the opposite ends of the coil spring are also brought closerto each other. A counterclockwise torque is then produced on the upperpinching member 3 by the restoring force of the coil spring 6 acting toreturn to the original state. Also, when the second pinching portion 3 cof the upper pinching member 3 and the attachment portion 2 e of thesecond attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other by the retainingmember 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and thecoil spring 6 is placed between the second pinching portion 3 c and theattachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.

One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 iformed on the second attachment leg 2 c, while the other end of the coilspring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertionhole 3 j of the second pinching portion 3 c.

At this time, turning of the second pinching portion 3 c is limited by apin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m provided in the attachmentportion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, when the third pinching portion 4 b of thelower pinching member 4 and the attachment portion 2 e of the secondattachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other by the retaining member 7,the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and the coilspring 6 is placed between the third pinching portion 4 b and theattachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.

One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 iformed on the second attachment leg 2 c, while the other end of the coilspring 6 is engaged with a spring stopper 9 mounted in the pin insertionhole 4 j of the third pinching portion 4 b.

The range of turning of the U-cut 4 h of the third pinching portion 4 bis limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in theattachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c.

When the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 andthe attachment portion 2 d are coupled to each other by the retainingmember 7, the retaining member 7 is inserted in a coil spring 6 and thecoil spring 6 is placed between the fourth pinching portion 4 c and theattachment portion 2 d.

One end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with the slant portion 2 hformed on the attachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b,while the other end of the coil spring 6 is engaged with a springstopper 9 mounted in the pin insertion hole 4 j of the fourth pinchingportion 4 c.

The range of turning of the U-cut 4 h of the fourth pinching portion 4 cis limited by a pin 8 mounted in the pin insertion hole 2 m bored in theattachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lower pinching member 4 isturned counterclockwise on the retaining member 7, the spring stopper 9inserted in the pin insertion hole 4 j and the slant portion 2 h arebrought closer to each other and the opposite ends of the coil spring 6are also brought closer to each other. A clockwise torque is thenproduced on the lower pinching member 4 by the restoring force of thecoil spring 6 acting to return to the original state.

Thus, when the upper pinching member 3 and the lower pinching member 4are coupled to the base member 2, the coil springs 6 are disposed toproduce pinching force between the upper pinching member 3 and the lowerpinching member 4, thereby enabling mount of the universal fixing metalfitting 1 for an operating table on an accessory attachment rail 11 b byfirmly pinching the accessory attachment rail 11 b.

In the present invention, when the first pinching portion 3 b and thesecond pinching portion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3 and theattachment portion 2 d of the first attachment leg 2 b and theattachment portion 2 e of the second attachment leg 2 c are coupled toeach other, two coil springs 6 in total are used each in a one-to-onerelationship with the coupling position.

Also, when the third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinchingportion 4 c of the lower pinching member 4 and the attachment portion 2d of the first attachment leg 2 b and the attachment portion 2 e of thesecond attachment leg 2 c are coupled to each other, two coil springs 6in total are used each in a one-to-one relationship with the couplingposition.

The coil spring 6 may be used for coupling of only one of the firstpinching portion 3 b and the second pinching portion 3 c.

Also, the coil spring 6 disposed and used at the time of coupling of thethird pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of thelower pinching member 4 may be disposed and used at both or only one ofthe third pinching portion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c.

That is, when the first pinching portion 3 b and the second pinchingportion 3 c of the upper pinching member 3 and the third pinchingportion 4 b and the fourth pinching portion 4 c of the lower pinchingmember 4 are coupled to the first attachment leg 2 b and the secondattachment leg 2 c, four coil springs 6 may be used or one coil spring 6used on the upper pinching member 3 side and another coil spring 6 usedon the lower pinching member 4 side, two coil springs 6 in total, may bedisposed and used.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state of use of the universal fixingmetal fitting for an operating table according to the present invention.At the time of mounting on an operating table 11, the universal fixingmetal fitting 1 for an operating table according to the presentinvention is first attached to an accessory attachment rail 11 bprovided parallel to an operating table side surface 11 a. At the timeof mounting, the U-cuts 3 h and 4 h of the upper pinching member 3 andthe lower pinching member 4 of the universal fixing metal fitting 1 forthe operating table are opened outwardly and the accessory attachmentrail 11 b is pinched therebetween for attachment. At this time, evenafter the external force applied to the universal fixing metal fitting 1for the operating table has been removed, the fixing metal fitting 1 isfixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 b by the torque produced onthe spring stoppers 9 so as not to fall from the rail 11 b.

A member to be mounted is inserted in the space 2 j in the base member2. The inserted member may have the shape of a plate or a round rod. Anattachment rod 10 in the form of a rectangular plate is illustrated inFIG. 13 by way of example. Description will be made below of a case ofusing the attachment rod 10. Side surfaces of the attachment rods 10 arefitted to the L-cuts 3 d and 4 d formed in the connecting portions 3 aand 4 a or to the V-cuts 3 k and 4 k formed inwardly relative to theL-cuts 3 d and 4 d, and the fastening portion 5 is rotated for fasteningby forcing the screw-engaging shaft 5 b in the direction of the fixingmember.

The attachment rod 10 is thereby caused to push the upper pinchingmember 3 and the lower pinching member 4 to produce a torque about theretaining members 7 such that the upper pinching member 3 and the lowerpinching member 4 turn in such directions as to pinch the accessoryattachment rail 11 b.

In this way, the attachment rod 10 of the member to be mounted on theoperating table 11 is firmly fixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 bby the universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table.

In the example of use shown in FIG. 13, the appliance to be mounted onthe operating table 11 is a trunk-fixing pad 10 d. The trunk-fixing pad10 d is connected to a coupling part 10 a by a connecting member 10 b,and the coupling part 10 a is attached to the upper end of theattachment rod 10 and fixed by an adjusting part 10 c.

By fastening with the fastening portion 5, the appliance to be mountedis fixed on the base member 2 and the pinching force of the upperpinching member 3. Simultaneously, the lower pinching member 4 isincreased by fastening with the fastening portion 5.

The universal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table is capableof being firmly fixed on the accessory attachment rail 11 b of theoperating table 11 and enabling the appliance to be mounted on theuniversal fixing metal fitting 1 for the operating table to be firmlyfixed simultaneously.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The universal fixing metal fitting 1 for an operating table according tothe present invention has advantages described below.

First, fixing between the universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table and an accessory attachment rail and fixing between theuniversal fixing metal fitting for an operating table and an applianceto be fixed can be simultaneously performed. Thus, the universal fixingmetal fitting can be easily mounted in a shorter time and can be firmlyfixed.

Second, although a case where appliances having coupling portionsvarying in shape and state are to be fixed is conceivable, the universalfixing metal fitting for an operating table according to the presentinvention is capable of being adapted to different shapes such as theshape of a member having a square or rectangular section and the shapeof a round rod and, therefore, capable of being used in variouscircumstances including changing the appliance to be fixed, and isparticularly advantageous on a medical scene where safety is requiredand various appliances are used.

Third, while there has been a need to use different fixing metalfittings in a case where there are operating table accessory attachmentrails differing in shape as between Japan and Europe, the presentinvention is adaptable to rails of any shape and can therefore be usedeven when the rail shape is changed.

Fourth, while an appliance to be fixed is ordinarily placed under asterilized clean sheet with which a subject on an operating table iscovered, or placed so as not to contact the sheet, the fixing metalfitting can be mounted on a rail even in a state where the rail iscovered with such a sheet to become thicker relative to the normalstate, because the fixing metal fitting can be sterilized by steam at ahigh pressure and can be used regardless of the rail shape.

1. A universal fixing metal fitting for an operating table characterizedby comprising a base member in which a first attachment leg having anattachment portion and including a slant portion formed thereon and asecond attachment leg having an attachment portion and including a slantportion formed thereon are formed continuously with a flat portionhaving a screw-engaging hole formed at its center, an upper pinchingmember in which a first pinching portion is formed continuously with oneend of a connecting portion having a V-cut at its center and L-cutsformed continuously with the V-cut, and in which a second pinchingportion is formed continuously with the other end of the connectingportion, a lower pinching member in which a third pinching portion isformed continuously with one end of a connecting portion having a V-cutat its center and L-cuts formed continuously with the V-cut, and inwhich a fourth pinching portion is formed continuously with the otherend of the connecting portion, and a fastening portion in which a handlehaving spherical stoppers provided on its opposite ends is looselyfitted in a through hole in a cylindrical head portion provided on oneend of a screw-engaging shaft, the universal fixing metal fitting alsocharacterized in that when the upper pinching member and the lowerpinching member are coupled to the base member, coil springs areattached by being interposed between the first pinching portion and theattachment portion, between the second pinching portion and theattachment portion, between the third pinching portion and theattachment portion and between the fourth pinching portion and theattachment portion.
 2. The universal fixing metal fitting for anoperating table according to claim 1, characterized in that a pressingmember is attached to a tip of the screw-engaging shaft.